Coupler operating mechanism



A Mali-f 1935' V w. F. RICHARDS ,000,987"

COUPLER OPERATING I MECHANISM Filed April 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 14, w. F. RICHARDS 2,000,987

COUPLER OPERATING MECHANI SM F'iied ApriJ. 2, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwue/ntoz Patented May 1 4, 1 935 UNlTED STATES pnmm mr The Gould Coupler Company, New York, N. Y.,

a corporation of Maryland V ,Application April 2, 1931, Serial No. 527,262

This invention relates to coupler operating mechanism, and more particularly to such involving a self-locking operating rod. 7

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide coupler operating mechanism particularly adapted for actuating the rocker shaft operated lock in an automatic railway vehicle coupler and comprising a transversely extending rod or shaft, provided with an operating handle, supported adjacent said handle in a yoke which, in turn, is preferably pivotally mounted on a bracket connected to the end of ,a 'car, said yoke and rod being so formed. that when the rodis in normal position, it is prevented from unlocking movement. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide an operating or uncouplingrod for a railway vehicle automatic coupler, and means for supporting the outer end of said rod, said means com-- prising a yoke pivotally mounted in a bracket to permit longitudinal movement of the coupler Without cramping the operating rod, said rod being preferably formed with the yokeereceived portion flattened on a slight taper to prevent rocking of the depending handle or arm of said shaft; said flattened portion being received in a constricted portion of the receiving aperture in the yoke to prevent unlocking rotation thereof.

A further object of my invention is toprovide means :for supporting the outer end of the operating rod of a railway vehicle automatic coupler andpermit longitudinal and sidewise movement of said coupler while preventing undesired unlocking rotative movement of said rod.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangementand'construction of the various parts willbecomeapparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:-

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing-one form of my uncoupling or operating rod with its outer portion supported from a locking bracket andits inner end connected to the rocker shaft of an associated coupler, fragmentary portions of said coupler being illustrated. H

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional viewonthe line 2--2 of Figure 1,1ooking in the directionof i the arrows.

of the arrows.

, looking in V the direction belts or the like.

Figure .5 is a horizontal sectional view. on the line 5-5 of Figure .2, looking in the direction of the arrows. l

Figure ,Gis a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 2, but showing a modification.

Figure 7 isa view corresponding to Figure l, but showing a furthermodification.

Figure8 is a transverse sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 7, lookin'gin the direction of the arrows.

uncoupling shaft .I provided at its outer end with a depending handle portion 2, and at its inner end with a hook or connecting portion 3, normally articulatingly connected to an eye or outer portion 4, of a trunnion or operating shaft 5 of an automatic coupler 6. The coupler 6 is preferably of the type such as shown in the Kinne Patent No. 1,659,300, of August 16, 1927, or my application Serial No. 442,638, filed April 8, 1930,

.involving a lock operated by means of a link I, the

lower endof which is pivotally connected to a lifter arm or lever 8 actuated by the shaft 5, rotatable about its axis, upon rotation of the operating rod 1, although I do not wish to be limited to the use ofmy invention with this type of coupler. 1 i

The outer or manually operated end of the opceived in an apertures ina yoke member Ill, which member is, in turn, mounted for rotation about a vertical or upright axis in a bracket II adapted for connection to theend of a railway vehicle. For purpose of connection, the bracket II is. preferably formed with a vertical web or base I2 apertured at l3 to receive connecting The yoke I is desirably mounted in. the bracket ill by having a lower trunnion portion received in a hearing or apertured portion l in a depending arm I6, the upper portion of said yoke being mounted betweenspaced flanges or'webs ll on the bracket and held in place by securing means, such as .a rivet l8, extending loosely through an aperture lllin the upper portion or Web 20 of said yoke. The bracket 10 is desirably formed with-a flange or web portion 2| overlying the upper end. of the yoke extension 20.

erating rod I is, in the embodiment shown, re-

On account of the loose mounting of the portion 20 of the yoke between the flanges I! on the bracket, the outward tapering of said portion 20 and the fact that the rivet I8 is loosely received in the aperture IS in said portion 20, said yoke I 8 is permitted to swivel to a limited extent about a vertical axis, thereby permitting longitudinal coupler movement without cramping of the operating rod I in the yoke [0.

In order to prevent undesired unlocking movement of the operating rod I as well as permit transverse movement or angling of the coupler, the portion 22 of the rod received in the aperture 9 of the yoke l adjacent said yoke preferably has the sides thereof formed flat, as indicated at 23, and tapered or converged'downwardly, as.

shown most clearly in Figure 2 the lower portion of the aperture 9 in the yoke being correspondingly formed so as to snugly receive said flattened portion of the rod, while providing for clearance immediately upon even a slight raising movement of the rod, and thereby lockthe same against rotation, and particularly unlocking or counterclockwise rotation, as viewed in Figure 2, longitudinal movement of the rod with respect to the yoke being, of course, permitted for the length of the flattened portion, whereby the desired angling or swinging movement of the associated coupler is provided for.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 6, a yoke I 0 and associated operating rod l are there disclosed which are identical with those of the preceding embodiment except that the restricted or lower portion of the aperture 9 in said yoke is formed with parallel sides rather than downwardly converging sides, and the flattened portion 22 of the operating rod I has parallel sides rather than downwardly converging sides, the slight clearance provided permittingthe rod I to slide freely longitudinally and take the position shown by virtue of the normal inclination of the handle 2 as shown in dot-dash lines. As in the previous embodiment, the operating rod 1 may be unlocked for turning inthe desired direction by raising the flattened portion 22 above the constricted or lower portion of the aperture 9 until it reaches the enlarged portion, which provides sufiicient space for turning to the desired extent.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, an arrangement is there disclosed involving an operating rod I with a depending handle 2 the inner end 3 of, which is connected to the eye portion 4 of the operating trunnion or shaft 5 of an automatic railway vehicle coupler 6 In the present embodiment, the hook portion 3 is extended, as compared with the hook portion 3 of the previous embodiment, to avoid ready disconnection between the operating rod and eye of the shaft 5 Theouter portion of said shaft l as in the previous embodiment, is flattened, as indicated at 22 and normally received in the constricted, preferably downwardly converging lower portion of the aperture 9 of the yoke I0 As in themevious embodiment, the yoke 10 is pivotally mounted with respect to an associated supporting bracket li but in the present instance, the pivotal mounting is effected by having a partially circular flange 20 formed on the upper portion-of the yoke Hl the bracket being grooved, as indicated at ZI to receive said flange and allow for pivotal motion in said bracket about a vertical axis. The upper portion of the bracket l0 is also desirably provided with a trunnion M received in a corresponding bearing or pocket on the bracket.

After assembly, which is effected by inserting the flanged portion in place beneath the bracket I I and rotating 90 to the position shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the yoke is preferably interlocked with respect to the bracket by means of a rivet or other retaining device |8 engaging a cut-away portion l9 in the flange 20 of the yoke Ifl and permitting the desired amount of swivelling, While preventing movement to disengagement between the parts. Except as specifically described in connection with the present embodiment, the same may correspond with that of the first embodiment. The movement to unlocking position, as in connection with the previous embodiments, is indicated by the arrow 24.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided an arrangement whereby the uncoupling or operating rod of a railway vehicle automatic coupler is self-locking and prevented from undesired rocking, which would ordinarily occur because of the swinging of the depending operating arm or handle upon stopping and starting of the associated railway vehicle. By virtue of permitting pivotal motion of the supporting yoke, the coupler may move to a limited extent in and out, or swivel without binding of the operating rod. in said yoke, the flattened portion of the operating rod extending the necessary distance on either side of the normal position of the supporting yoke so as to permit the necessary longitudinal movement or free sliding of the operating rod upon sidewise angling or swivelling of the associated coupler. On account of self-locking provision for the coupler operating rod, the coupler is maintained in locked position, when desired, whereby the danger of creeping of the coupler lock, or possible total uncoupling when the coupler is subjected to train operating forces, is eliminated.

Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been illustrated, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited except as specifically set forth in the appended claims, as my invention is applicable to all bell crank rods for top operated couplers as well as rocker shaft operated couplers.

I claim:-

1. A coupler operating mechanism comprising a rotatable rod and means for supporting said rod, said means comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to a railway vehicle and a yoke mounted for rotation in said bracket about a normally vertical axis, said yoke having an aperture normally receiving said rod, the lower portion of said aperture being constricted and defined by upwardly diverging sides, said rod having a portion tapering in section in a corresponding manner and adapted to snugly fit in said constricted portion of the aperture, the upper portion of said aperture being large enough to permit rotation of said rod.

2. In combination with a coupler having a rotatable lock-operating shaft, a rotatable operating rod articulated with respect to said shaft, and means for supporting the portion of said rod disposed away from said coupler to allow for coupler movement and prevent unintentional uncoupling, said means comprising a bracket secured to an associated railway vehicle, and a yoke mounted for rotation in said bracket about an upright axis, said yoke being formed with an aperture the upper portion of which is adapted to rotatively receive the rod and the lower portion of which is constructed and defined by upwardly diverging sides, said rod having a portion of tapering section, corresponding with the diverging sides, and adapted to snugly fit in said constricted portion to prevent uncoupling rotation of said rod.

3. In combination with an automatic coupler adapted to move longitudinally and swing from side to side with respect to an associated railway vehicle and having a lock-operating shaft rotatable about its axis, operating mechanism comprising a rod, means for supporting that portion of said rod disposed away from said coupler,

. said means comprising a bracket normally secured to said vehicle and a member supported by said bracket and adapted to rotate about an upright axis, said member having an aperture receiving said rod, the lower portion of said aperture having downwardly converging sides, and said rod having opposite sides flattened, converging to correspond, and cooperating with said constricted portion to prevent a substantial amount of rotation of said rod until raised out of engagement with the converging sides of said aperture, the flattened sides of said rod being extended both Ways from the normal point of reception in said constricted portion and sufficient clearance being provided with respect to said constricted portion to allow free sliding of the rod through said aperture even when in lowermost p sition, and means connecting the shaft and the adjacent end of said rod while allowing free articulation therebetween, whereby desired movements of the coupler are permitted and binding of the rod in the supporting means prevented.

4. In combination with an automatic coupler adapted to move longitudinally with respect to an associated railway vehicle and having a lockoperating shaft rotatable about its axis, operating mechanism comprising a rod, means for supporting that portion of said rod disposed away i from said coupler, said means comprising a bracket normally secured to said vehicle and a member supported by said bracket and adapted to rotate about an upright axis, said member having an aperture receiving said rod, the lower portion of said aperture being defined by upwardly diverging sides, and said rod having opposite sides flattened, upwardly diverging to correspond, and cooperating with the lower portion of said aperture to prevent a substantial amount of rotation of said rod until raised above said portion, and means connecting the shaft and the adjacent end of said rod while allowing free articulation therebetween, whereby desired movements of the coupler are permitted and binding of the rod in the supporting means preloosely confined between, a bifurcated portion of i the upper arm of the bracket, and means intersecting said bifurcated portions and elongated portion for limiting pivotal movement of said yoke, said yoke having an aperture normally receiving said rod, the lower portion of said aperture being constricted and defined by upwardly diverging sides, said rod having a portion, the sides of which diverge upwardly, and which is adapted to snugly fit in said constricted portion, the upper portion of said aperture being large enough to permit rotation of said rod when raised out of the constricted portion.

6. A coupler operating mechanism comprising a rotatable rod, and means for supporting said rod, said means comprising a bracket involving a normally upright web adapted to be secured to a railway vehicle, a generally horizontal lower web extending outwardly therefrom, and a yoke with upper flange portions received in grooved portions of said generally horizontal web, said yoke having an upper trunnion portion received in a downwardly opening pocket in said lower web, the upper portion of said yoke being narrow enough for insertion between the grooved portions in order to fit the upper trunnion in said pocket for pivotal mounting, said yoke being then turned approximately ninety degrees so that the flanges thereon guidingly fit in said grooves, and means intersecting said grooved portion and received in a notch in one of said flanges for limiting angling of said yoke, said yoke having an aperture normally receiving said rod, the lower portion of said aperture being constricted and defined by upwardly" diverging sides, said rod having a portion the sides of which diverge upwardly, and which is adapted to snugly fit in said constricted portion, the upper portion of said aperture being large enough to permit rotation of said rod when raised out of said constricted portion.

WILLARD F. RICHARDS. 

